Tire inflation safety cage

ABSTRACT

A tire inflation safety cage for a tire having a lock ring which includes a framework mounted on a base plate with longitudinally extending side members forming an enclosure having an open end with an open area above the side members for connecting an air hose to the valve of a tire on a wheel to be inflated disposed within the interior with a foot pedal actuated valve within the hose, the side members being supported in spaced-apart, substantially parallel relationship to permit a hammer to be laterally swung by an operator into striking engagement with a selected portion of the lock ring for positive seating on the wheel together with a pair of spaced-apart, parallel rollers, having an elevating mechanism therebetween and a ramp associated therewith so that a tire on a wheel may be moved through the framework open end and rotatably positioned on the rollers for rotation into a selected rotary position for inflation and seating of the lock ring following which the inflated tire may be easily removed from the framework by manual actuation of the elevating mechanism.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Conventional tires in use today of relatively large size installed onsmall trucks and larger vehicles such as tractor-trailers, earth movingequipment and the like utilize a construction unlike those found inordinary passenger vehicles. Such large tires particularly those of thetube type are installed on a wheel provided with a side ring and a lockring which may be either of the split lock ring type or of a two piececonstruction. Such lock rings serve to securely retain the tire on thewheel. As all such large tube type tires must be repaired from time totime due to flats and the like, the common procedure is to deflate thetire, remove the tire side ring and lock ring from the wheel followingwhich the tire is repaired. When repair has been completed, it is, ofcourse, necessary to replace the tire in the deflated condition on thewheel together with the side ring and lock ring, the lock ring being thelast part installed and positively seated on the wheel as carefully aspossible. In the last step, the tire is inflated or "aired" and underpresent day requirements, which have become virtually mandatory, thetire to be inflated must be placed in a "safety cage" during theinflation operation.

The use of such a safety cage is required as during the inflationoperation wherein pressures may reach 60 to 120 psi, it is not uncommonfor the lock ring to be only partially seated with the result that asthe inflation proceeds, an explosion of the tire and wheel parts mayoccur so that the parts are propelled at high velocity with resultinginjury and even death to personnel in the area. To reduce the likelihoodof such an explosion, the common practice is to strike portions of thelock ring which is not positively seated during the inflation operationwith a hammer wielded by the operator who supposedly carefully observesthe tire and lock ring during the inflation operation. Even with suchmeticulous attention to the tire and wheel during the inflationoperation, it is still not uncommon for an explosion to occur and thepropelled parts are retained within the cage avoiding injury to theoperator.

Present day safety cages are characterized by many limitations. Thecommon type of such safety cage is the "croquet hoop" type in which aplurality of vertically extending, hoop shaped members are arranged inside-by-side relationship on a base plate in which the tire and wheelare supported during the inflation operation. Such present day cageconstruction makes it extremely difficult for the operator to reachunseated portions of the lock ring since only vertical slots areprovided by the hoop members making the swinging of the hammer by theoperator extremely awkward. Furthermore, since the tire is connected bymeans of a hose to an associated source of pressurized air during theinflation operation, rotation of the tire for access to various unseatedportions of the lock ring is difficult particularly when the tire mustbe rotated with the air hose connected thereto. Furthermore, not only isit difficult to properly support the tire within the safety cage butmanual rotation of the tire is awkward and difficult.

OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, a primary object of this invention is to provide a new andnovel safety cage for the inflation of large tube type tiresincorporating a lock ring.

Another object of this invention is to provide a new and novel safetycage for tire inflation which eliminates all possible injury to anoperator from an exploding tire and wheel during the inflationoperation.

A further object of this invention is to provide a new and novel safetycage for a tire on a wheel having a lock ring wherein the tire and wheelmay be simply and easily moved into and out of the cage with a minimumof effort.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a new and novelsafety cage for a tire on a wheel having a lock ring which permits thetire to be easily rotated to a selected rotary position wherein a hammermay be wielded by an operator for positively seating the lock ringduring the inflation operation and in which the air hose may be easilyconnected to the tire for inflation without interference during therotation of the tire.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a new and novelsafety cage for a tire on a wheel having a lock ring which utilizes afoot actuated pedal for communicating the tire with an associated sourceof pressurized air leaving the operator's hands free for seating thelock ring.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a new and novelsafety cage for the inflation of a tire on a wheel having a lock ringwhich is simple and inexpensive in construction wherein the tireinflation pressure may be easily regulated and limited to a maximumpressure and wherein a tire may be inflated in a minimum of time by arelatively unskilled operator while providing absolute safety from tireexplosion to the operator.

Further objects and benefits will become evident when considering thefollowing detailed specification when taken in conjunction with theappended drawing figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the safety cage of theinvention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of a portion of the cage in FIG.1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the safety cageof the invention;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a portion of the safety cage in FIG. 1showing a modification thereof;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a third embodiment of the safety cage ofthe invention;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a fourth embodiment of the safety cageof the invention;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a portion of the safety cage of theinvention; and

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of another portion of the safety cage ofthe invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring now to the drawings and to FIG. 1 in particular, there isshown a safety cage constructed in accordance with the invention anddesignated generally by the letter C. As will be explained hereinafter,the safety cage C is of the type for accommodating a tire T on a wheel Whaving a lock ring R of the well known type during inflation or "airing"of the tire T after a tire has been repaired. As is well known, the cageC is of the type for preventing injury to the operator during inflationof the tire T in the event the tire T and wheel W explode propellingparts outwardly, such propelled parts being contained by the cage.

The cage C comprises a framework designated generally by the referencenumeral 11 which is suitably mounted on a base plate 12 which may be ofany suitable planar material such as sheet metal or the like.

The framework 11 defines an enclosure having an interior 13 foraccommodating the tire T to be inflated and the framework includes aplurality of longitudinally extending side members 14 which may beformed of pipe or the like and which are preferably of U-shapedconfiguration having bight portions 14a and free ends 14b. Means areprovided for supporting the side members 14 in spaced-apart,substantially parallel relationship which, in the embodiment of FIG. 1,include a vertically extending frame member 16 having a bight portion16a and free ends 16b suitably secured by welding or the like to theupper surface of the base plate 12. The free ends 14b of the sidemembers 14 are suitably secured by welding or the like to the legportions of the U-shaped frame member 16 which defines an open end 17for the framework 11 through which the tire T passes as the tire ismoved into and out of the enclosure interior 13.

In the embodiment of FIG. 1, the supporting means for the side members14 also include an L-shaped frame member 18 having a vertical section18a and a horizontally extending section 18b. The lower end of thevertical section 18a is suitably secured by welding or the like to thebase plate 12 and the horizontally extending section 18b is suitablysecured by welding or the like to the bight portion 16a of the U-shapedframe member 16. Thus, the frame member section 18b together with thebight portion 16a define the upper extremity of the framework 11 and theuppermost side member 14 defines therewith an open area 21 extendinglaterally on opposite sides of the framework 11 thus exposing an uppercircumferential portion of a tire T disposed within the enclosureinterior 13.

The safety cage C of FIG. 1 includes means adapted to extend through theopen area 21 for connecting a tire valve 22 on the tire T with anassociated source of pressurized air (not shown) as indicated by thearrow I. More specifically, conduit means 20 are provided which includesa first conduit section 23 connected to the associated source ofpressurized air by any suitable means. The conduit section 23 has aportion extending along the upper surface of the base plate 12 and isconnected at the opposite end to a normally closed, foot operated valve24 having a foot pedal 26 which may be disposed adjacent the base plate12 for the convenience of the operator.

The conduit means 20 includes a second conduit section 27 which isconnected at one end to the foot operated valve 24 and which extendsalong the first section 23 as shown in FIG. 1 along the upper surface ofthe base plate 12 and vertically upward along the vertical extendsection 18a of the L-shaped frame member 18.

In the preferred embodiment, the conduit sections 23, 27 are clamped tothe upper surface of the base plate 12 adjacent the vertical section 18aby means of a pair of clamping members 28, 29 having a bolt 30therebetween with the bottom end of the bolt 30 secured by welding orthe like to the base plate 12 as shown best in FIG. 7. Thus, adjacentportions of the conduit sections or hoses 23, 27 are securely retainedon the upper surface of the base plate 12 by clamping the members 28, 29together using a nut 32 threaded on the bolt 30 so that the portions ofthe conduit means 20 extending outwardly from the base plate 12 to thesource of pressurized air and the foot operated valve 24 may be movedfreely. The conduit second section or hose 27 extends along the framemember vertical section 18a and preferably the conduit second section orhose 27 is provided with a fully rotational air pressure gauge 15 and apop-off/air regulator 25 which limits the pressure of the air in conduit27 to a predetermined maximum.

The conduit means 20 includes a third section in the form of a hose 31or the like which is connected at one end to the hose 27 by means of aswivel fitting 33 of any well known construction such as shown in detailin the detached relationship in FIG. 8. The opposite end of the hose 31is provided with an elbow 34 on the outer end of which is provided aswivel air chuck 36 by means of which the hose 31 is connected to thetire valve 22 for inflating the tire T. The hose 31 is inserted withinthe enclosure interior 13 through the open area 21 and, as will beexplained hereinafter, the tire T may be rotated axially to a selectedrotary position during inflation without interference of the framework11 with the hose 31.

Means are provided on the base plate 12 for supportingly engaging abottom peripheral portion of the tire T within the enclosure interior 13for manual rotation of the tire into a selected rotary position. Mostspecifically, a pair of transversely extending, freely rotatable rollers41, 42 are mounted on the upper surface of the base plate 12 by suitablemeans such as brackets 43, 44 respectively, the rollers 41, 42 beingarranged in spaced-apart, parallel relationship as shown best in FIG. 2.Thus, as shown in FIG. 1, the tire T is supported on the rollers 41, 42and may be manually rotated simply and easily into any selected rotaryposition.

Means are also disposed on the base plate 12 between the rollers 41, 42for lifting the tire T from the rollers for rolling movement of the tireT out of the enclosure interior 13 and through the framework open end17. More specifically, such lifting means include a plate member 46pivotally mounted for pivotally upward movement from a depressedposition between the rollers 41, 42 as shown in FIG. 2 by means of rods47, the other ends of the rods 47 being connected to a shaft 48supported for rotation at opposite ends on a pair of spaced brackets 49.An operating lever 51 is connected at one end to the shaft 48 so thatmanual movement of the lever 51 downwardly in the direction of the arrowP moves the plate member 46 pivotally upward in the direction of thearrow R for engagement with the lower peripheral portion of the tire Tto lift the tire vertically upward out of engagement with the rollers41, 42.

It will be noted that in the preferred embodiment, the operating lever51 includes an outer portion 51a pivotally connected at a joint 52 tothe inner portion 51b of the lever 51 so that the lever portion 51a maybe pivotally moved inwardly into a storage position so as to overlie theupper surface of the base plate 12. Also, it will be noted that theupper surface of the plate member 46 is inclined downwardly to the rightas viewed in FIG. 2 to provide a slanted surface or incline 46a so thatupon lifting of the tire T, the tire T is urged down the incline 46atowards the open end 17 of the framework 11. Also associated with therollers 41, 42 is a ramp 53 suitably secured to the upper surface of thebase plate 12, the ramp 53 having an inclined portion 53a disposedbetween the roller 42 and the framework open end 17. Thus, when the tireT begins to roll down the inclined surface 46a of the plate member 46,the tire rolls onto the ramp 53 and down the ramp portion 53a out of theframework open end 17.

In the embodiment of FIG. 1, the cage C includes a transverselyextending, restraining member 54 which may be in the form of a chain,cable or a similar structural member which is removably connected to theleg portions of the U-shaped frame member 16 between the bight portion16a and the base plate 12. The ends of the restraining member 54 may beconnected to the frame member 16 by means such as hooks 56 so that inthe event of an explosion of the tire T and wheel W during inflation,the parts propelled by the force of the explosion are contained withinthe enclosure interior 13 and do not pass through the open end 17.

Referring now to FIG. 3, there is shown a second embodiment of thesafety cage of the invention wherein like numerals are utilized toidentify like parts. In the embodiment of FIG. 3, wherein the cage ofthe invention is identified by the letter C', each end of the framework11' is open to provide end openings 17' across which is providedrestraining members such as chains 54'. The side members in theembodiment of FIG. 3, identified by the reference numeral 61, extendlongitudinally and substantially parallel to the base plate 12. The sidemembers 61 are connected at opposite ends to upstanding frame members 62which are of inverted U-shaped configuration having free ends 62asuitably secured by welding or the like to the upper surface of the baseplate 12. As in the embodiment of FIG. 1, the side members 61 arearranged in substantially parallel, spaced-apart relationship with theupper side members 61 defining open areas 63 opening laterally onopposite sides of the framework 11'. As the tire T to be inflated may bemoved into and out of the interior of the enclosure formed by theframework 11' at either ends, two ramps 53 are suitably mounted on theupper surface of the base plate 12 each of the ramps 53 extendingbetween one of the rollers 41, 42 and the adjacent open end 17' of theframework 11'. As will be noted, the framework 11' also includes alongitudinally extending frame member 64 at the upper portion of theframework 11' having opposite ends connected by welding or the like tothe bight portions 62b of the frame members 62.

Referring now to FIG. 4, there is shown a modification of the embodimentof FIG. 1 wherein a portion of the conduit section 27 has beeneliminated and the hollow interior of the L-shaped frame member 18 and,in particular, the vertically extending section 18a is utilized. Thus,the end of the second conduit section 27 opposite the foot operatedvalve 24 is connected by means of a suitable fitting 71 to the interiorof the frame member vertical section 18a. The interior of the framemember vertical section 18a communicates with the third conduit section31 by means of the fitting 33 mounted in any well known manner on theframe member section 18a for connection to the hose 31.

Referring now to the embodiment of FIG. 5, wherein like numerals areutilized to identify like parts there is shown a third embodiment of thesafety cage of the invention which is identified by the letter C". Inthe embodiment of FIG. 5, the side members 72 are disposed in an angularrelationship with the base plate 12 and are arranged in substantiallyparallel spaced-apart relationship as in the first and secondembodiments to form a framework 70. The side members 72 in theembodiment of FIG. 5 are of U-shaped configuration being formed of pipeor the like having free ends 72a secured by suitable means such aswelding or the like to the upper surface of the base plate 12. The bightportion 72b of the side members 72 are interconnected by suitablesupporting means such as a bracket 73. In the embodiment of FIG. 5, atire T disposed within the framework 70 has an upper and lowercircumferential portion extending within the open areas 90 degreestangent to the side member 72 i.e., the side members 72 on the left asviewed in FIG. 5. It can be seen that with the arrangement of the sidemembers 72 in FIG. 5, the framework 70 is open at each end to provideopen ends 76, 77 which permit a tire T on a wheel W to be moved withinthe interior of the framework 70 from either end of the cage C".Accordingly, a pair of ramps 53 are provided adjacent the rollers 41, 42to facilitate the movement of the tire T onto the rollers 41, 42 througheither open end 76, 77.

In the embodiment of FIG. 6, which is similar to the embodiment of FIG.5 and wherein like numerals are utilized to identify like parts, thecage C"' includes a framework 80 having side members 81 of U-shapedconfiguration with free ends 81a suitably secured by welding or the liketo the base plate 12. As in the embodiment of FIG. 5, the side members81 are disposed in angular relationship with the base plate 12 and themeans for supporting the side members 81 in spaced-apart, parallelrelationship include an upstanding frame member 82 having a bottom end82a secured by welding or the like to the upper surface of the baseplate 12 and an angularly extending upper end portion 82b secured bywelding or the like to the bight portions 81b of the side members 81.Thus, only a single open end 83 is provided in the cage C"' of FIG. 6and therefore only a single ramp 53 adjacent this open end 83 for movingthe tire T onto and off the rollers 41, 42. It will be noted in theembodiment of FIG. 6 that a portion of the conduit section 27 of theembodiment of FIG. 1 is omitted and the frame member 82 substitutedtherefor for communicating with the remaining portion of the conduitsection 27 through the fitting 71 with the interior of the frame memberor pipe 82. As in the embodiment of FIG. 4, the third conduit section 31is connected in communication with the interior of the pipe 82 by meansof the fitting 33.

In the use of the safety cage of the invention, and in any of theembodiments, the repaired tire to be inflated is rolled up the ramp 53through either of the open ends of the framework into a position withinthe interior of the framework such as the framework 11 in the cage C ofFIG. 1. The hose section 31 is then connected to the tire valve 22 andby depressing the pedal 26 of the foot operated valve 24, pressurizedair is admitted into the tire T for inflation from the associated sourceof pressurized air. During the inflation of the tire T, the tire T maybe manually rotated on the rollers 41, 42 during which the operatorwielding a hammer may swing the hammer in a normal lateral fashion ontoportions of the lock ring R which may not be seated. The longitudinallyextending side members such as the side members 14 in the embodiment ofFIG. 1 permit such striking of the lock ring R in an easy and naturalmanner. When inflation of the tire is completed, lever 51 is depressedto elevate the plate member 46 whereupon the tire T is lifted and rolleddown the plate member 46 onto the ramp 53 and down the ramp inclinedsurface 53a out of the cage C.

Having thus described the invention, it should be apparent that numerousstructural modifications are contemplated as being a part of thisinvention as set forth hereinabove and as defined hereinbelow by theclaims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A tire inflation safety cage for a tire on awheel having a lock ring and a tire valve comprising, in combination,abase plate, a framework mounted on said base plate having at least oneopen end and defining an enclosure having an interior for accommodatinga wheel having a tire to be inflated, said framework including aplurality of longitudinally extending side members on each side of saidframework and means for supporting said side members in spaced-apart,substantially parallel relationship with an open area above said sidemembers for exposing an upper circumferential portion of a tire disposedwithin said enclosure interior, means adapted to extend through saidopen area for connecting said tire valve with an associated source ofpressurized air, said side members having a spaced-apart relationshipfor permitting selected portions of said lock ring to be struck forpositive seating by a hammer swung laterally by an operator and means onsaid base plate for supportingly engaging a bottom peripheral portion ofsaid tire within said enclosure interior for manual rotation of saidtire into selected rotary position.
 2. A safety cage in accordance withclaim 1 wherein said means for connecting said tire valve with saidassociated source of pressurized air includes a foot operated valve. 3.A safety cage in accordance with claim 2 wherein said means forconnecting said tire valve with said associated source of pressurizedair includes a pop-off/air regulator and a fully rotational air pressuregauge.
 4. A safety cage in accordance with claim 2 wherein said meansfor connecting said tire valve with said associated source ofpressurized air includes a conduit connected to said associated sourceof pressurized air, said conduit including a flexible first sectionincluding said foot valve, a second section supported on said frameworkand a flexible third section, a swivel for connecting one end of saidflexible third section to said second section and a swivel air chuck onthe other end of said flexible third section for connecting saidassociated source of pressurized air to said tire valve.
 5. A safetycage in accordance with claim 4 wherein said second section of saidconduit comprises a portion of said framework.
 6. A safety cage inaccordance with claim 1 wherein said side members are disposed insubstantially parallel relationship with said base plate.
 7. A safetycage in accordance with claim 1 including transversely extending,restraining member detachably connected to said framework within saidopen end intermediate the upper portion of said framework and said baseplate for containing an explosion of said tire and wheel.
 8. A safetycage in accordance with claim 1 wherein said means for supporting saidside members include a vertically extending frame member of invertedU-shaped configuration said frame member defining said open end on saidframework.
 9. A safety cage in accordance with claim 8 wherein arestraining member is provided and comprises a flexible memberdetachably connected at least at one end to said framework.
 10. A safetycage in accordance with claim 1 wherein said side members are ofU-shaped configuration.
 11. A safety cage in accordance with claim 2wherein said means for supportingly engaging said tire peripheralportion include a pair of transversely extending, freely rotatablerollers arranged in spaced-apart, parallel relationship on said baseplate and means disposed on said base plate between said rollers forlifting said tire from said rollers for rolling movement of said tireout of said enclosure interior and through said framework open end. 12.A safety cage in accordance with claim 11 wherein said lifting meanscomprises a plate member mounted on said base plate for pivotal movementbetween a depressed position and an elevated position and an operatinglever operatively connected to said plate member for manually movingsaid plate member from said depressed position into said elevatedposition.
 13. A safety cage in accordance with claim 12 wherein saidoperating lever is pivotally connected to said plate member for movementof said operating lever between a retracted position adjacent said baseplate and a laterally extending operative position.
 14. A safety cage inaccordance with claim 12 including a ramp on said base plate betweensaid rollers and said frame open end for rolling of said tire on and offsaid rollers through said framework open end.
 15. A safety cage inaccordance with claim 14 wherein each end of said framework is open andwherein one of said transversely extending, restraining members isremovably connected to said framework within each of said open ends andwherein one of said ramps is mounted on said base plate between saidrollers and each of said open ends for rolling of said tire on and offsaid rollers through a selected one of said open ends.
 16. A tireinflation safety cage for a tire on a wheel having a lock ring and atire valve comprising, in combination,a base plate, a framework mountedon said base plate having at least one open end and defining anenclosure having an interior for accommodating a wheel having a tire tobe inflated, said framework including a plurality of angled side memberson each side of said framework and means for supporting said sidemembers in spaced-apart, substantially parallel relationship allowing anopen area beyond said side members for exposing a circumferentialportion of a tire disposed within said enclosure interior, means adaptedto extend through said open area for connecting said tire valve with anassociated source of pressurized air, said side members having aspaced-apart relationship for permitting selected portions of the lockring to be struck for positive seating by a hammer swung by an operatorand means on said base plate for supportingly engaging a bottomperipheral portion of said tire within said enclosure interior formanual rotation of said tire into selected rotary position.
 17. A safetycage in accordance with claim 16 wherein said side members are ofU-shaped configuration having free ends connected to said base plate,said side members being arranged in angularly disposed relationship withsaid base plate and means for supporting said side members including anupstanding frame member mounted on said base plate opposite said openend and having an upper portion connected to the bight portion of eachof said U-shaped side members.
 18. A safety cage in accordance withclaim 16 wherein said side members are of U-shaped configuration havingfree ends connected to said base plate, said side members being arrangedin angularly disposed relationship with said base plate and means forsupporting said side members including a longitudinally extendingbracket connected to the bight portion of each of said U-shaped sidemembers.
 19. A device of claim 16 wherein said angled side members areobliquely oriented relative to a plane normal to said base plate. 20.The device of claim 16 wherein said side members are angled such thatsaid side members are substantially parallel to said base plate.